Cleaning extractor hoods
Cleaning extractor hoods
A fire hazard that is all too often underestimated
A greasy range hood isn’t just a kitchen hygiene issue—it’s a recognized fire hazard, whether in commercial kitchens, hospitality establishments, or industrial kitchens. Over time, cooking vapors deposit grease droplets in the exhaust plenum, on the baffle filters, and along the vertical duct leading to the exhaust fan. These deposits are highly flammable, and the combination of heat from cooking stations and a hot spot in the duct is enough to ignite a fire that spreads rapidly through the extraction system.
XLG provides maintenance services for commercial kitchen hoods and their exhaust systems in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg, with technicians trained to thoroughly degrease the entire system, regardless of the extent of the buildup. This service complements XLG’s offerings in HVAC duct and range hood cleaning, along with ventilation duct cleaning.
Why Regular Cleaning of Industrial Range Hoods Is Essential
A documented risk of duct fire
Grease buildup in an exhaust duct creates a continuous fuel source between the cooking area and the roof-mounted exhaust hood. If ignited, a lack of maintenance can turn a simple localized fire into a widespread blaze, with a risk of rapid spread to the roof and adjacent structures. This risk increases with the intensity of cooking: high-temperature frying, grilling, stir-frying, or continuous cooking accelerate grease buildup and shorten the acceptable interval between cleanings.
A requirement of insurance companies
In the event of a claim, the insurer may request proof that the range hood has been cleaned at regular intervals by a qualified third-party company. Without a dated and documented cleaning certificate, the operator risks having the claim denied, in addition to the personal injury and property damage risks associated with the incident itself. The service report provided by XLG after each cleaning serves as this proof.
A Health Challenge for the Farm
In addition to the fire hazard, a greasy range hood reduces extraction efficiency, promotes the growth of bacteria and mold associated with organic residues, and may compromise compliance with HACCP standards applicable to commercial kitchens.
Our degreasing method
The service begins with an assessment of the degree of clogging in the pleated filters, the exhaust plenum, and the ductwork leading to the exhaust fan. Degreasing involves both mechanically loosening deposits and cleaning surfaces, using a treatment tailored to the type of grease buildup and the configuration of the duct system—whether it is a short run in an open kitchen or a long vertical run extending to a roof-mounted exhaust fan. For systems with ducts extending more than several meters vertically, the inspection also determines whether additional access hatches need to be installed to ensure full access during future maintenance. Upon completion of the cleaning, XLG provides a service report documenting the work performed, which the operator should retain to meet insurance and health and safety requirements.
The XLG Benefits for Maintaining Your Commercial Kitchen Facilities
Ongoing expertise
Our teams receive ongoing training in degreasing techniques and safety procedures specific to professional kitchens, with one constant goal: to ensure results that meet the requirements of insurers and health authorities.
A Concrete Commitment to ESG
The maintenance of range hoods is part of XLG’s active ESG approach; the company publishes a carbon footprint report and prioritizes responsible management of waste and the products used on its job sites, including the greasy residues collected during service calls.
Versatility That Benefits Multi-Site Operators
A foodservice group, a multi-site hospitality operator, or an industrial facility with a company cafeteria can entrust XLG with the complete maintenance of its air handling systems—including kitchen hoods and the general ventilation system—with a single point of contact for all of its locations in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.
Expertise
Our team benefits from ongoing training, ensuring cutting-edge expertise in every area of intervention. Whatever the service, our certified workers deliver top-quality service, guaranteeing reliable results that comply with the strictest standards.
Sustainability
Our ESG commitment translates into a comprehensive ecological approach: reduction of CO2 emissions, responsible waste management, use of environmentally-friendly products and optimization of energy consumption. At the same time, we ensure the well-being of our teams, thus integrating a social dimension into our overall approach.
Versatility
Our operational versatility is the key to our performance. With an extensive range of services and a highly qualified team, we are ready to take on any challenge, guaranteeing an effective response to every project, whatever its complexity.
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